Where to stay in Bologna? That’s a good question, and one our TMO Bologna Guide hopes to answer. A lot of it depends, obviously, on your budget and the reason for your trip. If you’re arriving on Business – to attend a trade fair, for example – you may want a hotel close to the train station and/or Fiera; If you’re interested in food and shopping, you may want to choose somewhere close to the main square, Piazza Maggiore; if you’re travelling on a budget, you may want to stay a bit further out (given that Bologna’s transport system is good and relatively cheap). With all these factors in mind, we’ve put together a list of great hotels that can suit your needs.

Hotels and appartments in Bologna’s city centre

Bologna is relatively small in size, so if you plan to do some sightseeing, even if you’re visiting on business, it often makes good sense to stay right in the heart of the city (you can walk to both the train station and bus station easily from the main square). Obviously there’s a huge range of different hotels and appartments to choose from – and budgets.

Address: Vicolo del Falcone 6/8, 40124 Bologna3 Stars
The Porta San Mamolo is one of Bologna’s most charming hotels, tucked away in the small laneways of the Mirasole district, with a gorgeous garden (something which is rare enough in Bologna’s city centre). Great rooms and very helpful staff – highly recommended.
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Address: Via D’Azeglio 1, 40123 Bologna, Italy
This private appartment, at the start of Via d’Azeglio (in the corner of Piazza Maggiore) wins the prize for the most central accomodation in our list. It’s virtually impossible to get a better location, and the appartment itself is elegant, modern, and well equipped. It sleeps up to 6 adults, and has free wi-fi and full kitchen.
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Address: Via delle Drapperie 5, 40124 Bologna3 Stars
The Drapperie hotel has a great location as well, on one of the streets in the Quadrilatero (the market on the eastern side of Piazza Maggiore). The hotel is small and welcoming, with great reviews. Step out the door and you’re right in one of the most vibrant parts of the city for eating and drinking.
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Address: Via Indipendenza 8, 40121 Bologna5 Stars
The Grand Hotel Majestic giá Baglioni is as impressive as its name. If you’re a rock star, film celebrity, or big-wig politician you’ll want to be staying here – or if you just want to treat yourself to some serious luxury in the heart of the city.
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Address: Via Orfeo 34/4, 40124 Bologna4 Stars
This design hotel, in a converted Convent, located close to the City’s main park, and within walking distance of the main square, is full of character. If you’re looking for a truly special place to stay when visiting Bologna – this might be the place
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Hotels for Business and Trade Fairs in Bologna

If you’re staying in Bologna to attend a trade fair (like the Bologna Book Fair or Cosmoprof), you may want to choose a hotel close to the central train station, or near the Fiera exhibition halls. The following hotels are suitable, and well recommended:

Address: Piazza della Costituzione 1, 40128 Bologna4 Stars
The Hotel Bologna Fiera is, as the name suggests, within walking distance of the Fiera exhibition centre, so for trade fair visitors it’s extremely convenient. The area is well connected with buses and taxis, but is not really within walking distance of either the train station or the city centre. This modern hotel has more than 200 rooms, and a wide range of facilities including restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and free wi-fi.
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Address: Via Adelaide Ristori, 4, 40127 Bologna
Carlo and Alice’s appartment is a modern and comfortable spot to stay, near the trade fair. The 2 bedroom appartment sleeps four, and has kitchenette with dishwasher, living room with flat-screen tv, free wi-fi, air-conditioning, and children up to 12 years of age are free.
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Address: Via Sebastiano Serlio 28, 40128 Bologna4 Stars
Halfway between the train station and the trade fair, the AC Bologna is a comfortable, modern, business hotel with fitness centre, bar, restaurant and business centre.
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Address: Via Michelino 73, 40127 Bologna4 Stars
The Novotel Fiera is beside the main motorway and the trade fair, so for business visitors it’s ideal. It is a bit off the beaten track for other visitors, but that can be an advantage, with good rates often available outside of trade-fair periods. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool (May to September), air-conditioning, and restaurant.
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Good Budget Accomodation in Bologa

The main complaint many visitors have had, when arriving in Bologna, has been the lack of decent budget accomodation. Thankfully, as the city has started to focus more and more on tourism as a resource, and with the arrival of better air and train connections, the range of budget accomodation has improved.

Address: Via De’ Carracci 69/14, 40129 Bologna, Italy
A state of the art hostel (and student residence) with en-suite rooms and dormitory accomodation, the We_bologna is located near the new high-speed train station. It has great facilities including a shared kitchen, library, bike-rental, and garden. Well worth checking out.
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Address: Via Romita 12/4a, 40127 Bologna
About 15 minutes from the train station (by bus), the Centro Turistico is outside the city, but that is to its advantage, as it has loads of space, a seasonal swimming pool, and free parking. The Centre which began life as a camping site, has good value for money chalet style accomodation, and a decent restaurant on-site. It’s also a perfect location for concerts and major events in the Parco Nord.
[Click here to check availability or book the centre]